MyVisionTest News Archive
Dec 14, 2009
Avastin superior to photodynamic therapy for myopic macular degeneration
The 2 year visual outcome of intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab [IVB]) is superior to that of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for myopic choroidal neovascularizations (mCNVs), according to a new research report.
Extreme myopia may result in degenerative changes of the retina. These degenerative changes may lead to complications such as retinal detachment or macular degeneration. Previous studies have found that myopic CNV appears to respond well to anti-VEGF therapy. The degree of vision improvement appears to be more variable than is seen with AMD, with fewer patients experiencing vision improvement and CNV closure, at least in some studies. The more guarded prognosis for myopic CNV may be due to other complications of pathologic myopia, such as macular atrophy. The treatment of myopic CNV by PDT was found to have a more beneficial effect than placebo therapy at 1 year, but was not significantly better after 2 years.
Twenty-four eyes were selected from 40 consecutive patients with mCNV, and the patients were divided into Group A consisting of 12 eyes treated by PDT and Group B consisting of 12 eyes treated by 1.25 mg IVB. The age and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were matched between the two groups. The BCVA, size of the chorioretinal atrophy surrounding the CNV (CRA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and CNV thickness were determined before and at 12 and 24 months after the treatment.
The BCVA did not change after PDT, but was significantly improved from 0.75 to 0.49 logMAR units at 12 months and to 0.50 logMAR units at 24 months after IVB. The CFT were significantly reduced in both groups at 12 and 24 months. The chorioretinal atrophies were larger in group A than in group B at 12 and 24 months, and their sizes were correlated with the BCVA.
The investigators conclude that at 24 months, IVB is more effective than PDT in treating mCNV. The enlargement of the chorioretinal atrophy might be related to the incomplete visual recovery after PDT. This finding is consistent with 1 year follow-up results from a prior study.
Read more...
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Tags: Avastin, photodynamic therapy, myopia
The 2 year visual outcome of intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab [IVB]) is superior to that of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for myopic choroidal neovascularizations (mCNVs), according to a new research report. Extreme myopia may result in degenerative changes of the retina. These degenerative changes may lead to complications such as retinal detachment or macular degeneration. Previous studies have found that myopic CNV appears to respond well to anti-VEGF therapy. The degree of vision improvement appears to be more variable than is seen with AMD, with fewer patients experiencing vision improvement and CNV closure, at least in some studies. The more guarded prognosis for myopic CNV may be due to other complications of pathologic myopia, such as macular atrophy. The treatment of myopic CNV by PDT was found to have a more beneficial effect than placebo therapy at 1 year, but was not significantly better after 2 years.
The BCVA did not change after PDT, but was significantly improved from 0.75 to 0.49 logMAR units at 12 months and to 0.50 logMAR units at 24 months after IVB. The CFT were significantly reduced in both groups at 12 and 24 months. The chorioretinal atrophies were larger in group A than in group B at 12 and 24 months, and their sizes were correlated with the BCVA.
The investigators conclude that at 24 months, IVB is more effective than PDT in treating mCNV. The enlargement of the chorioretinal atrophy might be related to the incomplete visual recovery after PDT. This finding is consistent with 1 year follow-up results from a prior study.
Read more...
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print]
